FBI

- I know there is a list of items to bring with provided but which items did you end up needing and which items you didn’t?

the list is huge, so it's hard to address in generalities. best to under-buy rather than over-buy. there is a walmart right outside of the base. you can buy the stuff once you know for sure you need it. otherwise, buy the clothing on the list and use your discretion on the supplies.

- Beside the list of items, did you wish you brought certain items to help you there? If so, what were they?

this is going to be personal preference. if you have creature comforts at home, bring those along. slippers, your pillow, maybe a google chromecast. you will see that the dorms are a wasteland of temporary purchases. people buy coffee machines and leave them there after they graduate. some rooms have mini-fridges that former NATs bought and just left behind. usually, you can go to the dorms when the most senior class is set to graduate and pillage their leftovers like a garbage picker.

- Can we bring our own laptop or desktop computer?

not really enough room for a desktop, but yes, you can bring your own laptop. you can bring whatever media/entertainment devices that you and your roommate can tolerate.

- Is there enough free time relax in the dorms at night, play your guitar, FaceTime family, play a computer game, etc? Or is it constant homework and time to hit he bed?

yes, there is enough time. but, caveat to say, if you never shot, or never did any type of martial arts, or don't know any swat-style tactics, or never studied law, then there's gonna be sh*t to practice at night. of course, you can just not practice and squeak by, but that's your call. and if you've been through a LEO academy before, then it will probably mean you will have more free time due to having practiced all of the above before.


- Is there a lights out time or is it relaxed?

it's relaxed. but if you catch a roommate that likes to stay up late, you have to troubleshoot that your own way. ear plugs (silicone) and an eye mask may help save your relationship. i think technically there is a quiet time, like post 10pm, but not lights out.

- how is the grooming standards? I have sideburns but not extending below my ear opening, would that be acceptable?

grooming standards is that you are expected to be clean shaven every day and have a normal hair cut. some people get medical waivers on shaving due to "skin conditions". now, i know that there are some people who legitimately have skin conditions. but dont be the guy who fakes a waiver so they dont have to shave. if you do, you're a lazy scum bag. your sideburns sound fine.

- can you bring coffee or other drinks to the classroom during classes?

yes, but the container has to be spill proof.

- how is the PT life?

changes every year. heard lately it's harder than it used to be. the most complaints came from defensive tactics.

- how is the gym? Is there enough time to workout everyday?

there's some time. but some people are legitimately going to have to practice shooting a lot, or tactics, or study law. almost everyone has some weakness. if you're motivated, you can find time for the gym. but it will come at the cost of something else that you are actually being graded on.

- how is the food? Can one follow a clean diet there?

lots of choices. yes you can eat clean. but the temptation is great.

- what kind of off duty activities are available for NATs?

whatever you want and feel like spending. people go into DC and stay the whole weekend, for example. many trips to the movie theater. just don't get in trouble.

- is it hassle to have your personal vehicle there? (I plan on driving mine there)

not at all.

- any other essential info you can share.

don't be a dick, don't be cliquey, and try not to go crazy.

It’s not like that.

It’s an academy for criminal investigators not patrol officers. That’s not a knock on either.

Great post!

Any long runs during PT? Trying to get gauge what distance a candidate should build up to before Q.

Can a candidate get permission to leave the academy for a few hours if they have a necessary medical appointment?

Is it common for people to get dropped due to firearms?

It said that you also train with Intelligence analyst in what aspect do you train with them?

They sit next to you in class

Lol

Let’s put it this way. The NIATs aren’t even allowed to run.

I say it tongue in check, kinda. NATs have to run if going outside to another building. However, if the NATs and the NIATs are going outside to another building, there’s no running. Thus the NIATs not being allowed to run.

The NIATs do purely acadmeic classes. They don’t do DT or anything else. They’re intel.

I think technically NIATs aren’t allowed to workout at the gym. But that’s not enforced.

If this were to ever be enforced, are there other gyms elsewhere on Quantico that an IA could drive to and use?

Thanks a lot for your contributions emaichbe! Great info!

This will be my 3rd academy. I have done local (5 months) then I did state (6 months) and now time to do a federal one. I m not looking forward to getting sprayed in the face again., this will be my 5th.. and it never gets easier

You'll like find this not too bad then, other than getting sprayed again. That never gets easy.

We had quite a few in my class who had been through multiple academies, and while I don't want to say they found it easy, none of them ever seemed truly stressed likes those who hadn't been through one before. For me it was closer to my time in college than any of my military training. Your mileage may vary, of course.